Raiden Zero Snowboard Bindings 2013

For a skate like flex for park or sessions on street rails, the Raiden Zero Snowboard Binding is your weapon. The FTI Air chassis incorporates Raiden's new 2x4 Mini Disc, providing the ultimate in board feel and flex. Butter it up and count it. This binding is solid, lightweight and made for all-terrain destruction.

FTI Air Chassis - A huge step forward in lightweight binding design and dampening. By opening up the sub-frame on the heel, Raiden was able to insert a full-size Airbag. Not some micro gel pad or rubber bubble, but a full-size Airbag that will absorb icy park landings and huge street drops, taking the impact instead of your back.

2x4 Mini Disc - The weight of the disc has been reduced using a fiber-reinforced composite material, allowing the binding to be mounted and micro-adjusted on any common 2x4 insert pattern. The smaller disc means more space to cushion your ride without sacrificing adjustability while the small mounting footprint combined with a slightly softer material significantly reduces the bindings impact on the board flex.

Straps

Premium Slim Cut Ankle Straps - The Narrower profile has improved flex and freedom of movement. Incorporating Raiden's super memory foam for lasting comfort and additional leather reinforcements on the top and sides, this design can take any abuse.

Revert Toe Strap - The Revert toe strap construction nicely follows the shape of any boots toe box. Wear it in front of your boot to pull the foot back and down or traditionally over the top of the boot.

Asym Flex Beam Highback - Fine tuned response at high speed and support for unmatched comfort

Additional Features

Raiden Air Dampening - The lightest shock absorbing technology on the planet sucks up hard landings and keeps your heels from getting bruised. This noticeable difference in ride and comfort does not miss any response and control.

Specs

Ability Level:Intermediate-Advanced

Intermediate-Advanced

The majority of skiers/snowboarders fall into this level, whether you like to carve on groomers or venture into the powder. These skis/snowboards may be somewhat wider than beginner-intermediate skis, usually with a stronger wood core and sandwich sidewall construction. Depending on the type of ski, intermediate-advanced level skis may have full camber, rocker, or some combination of the two.

Flex Rating:Medium

Medium

The amount a snowboard flexes varies significantly between boards. Snowboard flex ratings are not necessarily standardized across manufacturers, so the flex may vary from brand to brand. Many manufacturers will give a number rating ranging from 1-10, 1 being softest and 10 being stiffest. Here at evo we have standardized the manufacturers' number ratings to a feel rating ranging from soft to very stiff. Generally you will find flex ratings of 1-2 as soft, 3-5 as medium, 6-8 as stiff, and 9-10 as very stiff. Flex ratings and feel may ultimately vary from snowboard to snowboard.

These were my first bindings so I don't really have much to compare them to except rentals, but all in all they're good paired up with my Never Summer SL (153). They seem pretty well made and sturdy, but it's also very basic.

They're comfortable once you get the strap adjustment right. The top of my left foot got really sore when riding lifts the first few times but once I moved the ankle strap across a bit it went away.

Just a few other things to watch for.

I have size 7.5 Thirtytwo STW boots (yes I have small feet) and they're still a bit too wide for these bindings in a size medium. They do fit, but you have to squish them in. So if your boots measure more than 4.5 inches wide then you might want to go a size up or another binding altogether.

The toe ratchet is also a bit sticky if you really lock it down. After about 5-6 days wear they get better but it doesn't completely go away. The ankle ratchet is just fine though.

One thing about the ankle strap's adjustment clip (not the ratchet). It flipped open once after a bit of a fall. I didn't notice until after finishing the run and getting off the lifts and it was just barely hanging on. So that came open a little too easily.

Finally, it's meant to be a lightweight binding so the cushioning on it isn't much. I've got bad knees and ankles so next time I might try and find something that helps a little more in that regard. I really felt it through my ankles when I didn't land jumps exactly right.

As my first set of bindings I think they're alright. The complaints I have are mainly just little things that I could probably live with.

This binding is awesome. It doesn't get much better for the price. I was skeptical about the airbag system and mini disc but I was certainly wrong. The airbag is actually good at dampening impacts and The minidisc holds just as well as a normal disc. The binding is really lightweight compared to similar products in the price range. I use it for park and all mountain with my Nitro T1. It's a perfect combo.